Hot air blower



oct. s, 1965 E. F. Fox Em. 3,209,988

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E. F. FOX ETAL HOT AIR BLOWER Oct. 5, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed June 24, 1964 i Oct. 5, 1965 E. F. Fox ETAL 3,209,988

HOT AIR BLOWER Filed June 24, 1964 4 sheets-'sheet 4 N VENTOR5.

United States Patent O 3,209,988 HOT AIR BLOWER Edwin F. Fox, Oak Tark, and William J. Clements, Downers Grove, Ill., assignors to Clements Mfg. Co., Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Filed| June 24, 1964, Ser. No. 377,759 9 Claims. (Cl. 230-117) This application is a continuation-in-part of copending application, Serial No. 189,760, tiled April 24, 1962, entitled Hot Air Blower, now abandoned.

This invention relates to heating devices and has particular relation to the field o-f hot air blowers.

One purpose of the invention is to provide a blower capable of delivering air at a maximum temperature with a minimum amperage and wattage.

Another purpose is to provide a hot air blower having an air-heating element of maximum life and duration.

Another purpose is to provide a hot air blower which may be handled with maximum safety.

H-ot air blowers have been provided in the past and have incorporated a length of coiled wire wound about a corn-cob-like ceramic element within a blower nozzle. When electrical energy is passed through the wire it becomes heated and the air passing through the nozzle and in contact with the wire is heated thereby. In such prior structures, the wire is returned from the outer end of the ceramic member about which the wire is wound by passing the return portion of the wire through the inside of the comparatively massive ceramic core. Such heating elements have proved of such short life as to be unsatisfactory. Accordingly, it is one purpose of the invention to provide a heating element wherein all portions of the Wire are exposed to the air passing thereabout and in which a core of minimum interference with air-flow is provided and in which the useful life of such heating element is of maximum duration.

Another purpose is to provide a hot air blower having means for insuring maximum contact between a heatimparting element and the air passing through said blower.

Another purpose is to provide a hot air blower having means for retaining the air passing therethrough in contact with the heating element therein over a maximum duration of time.

Another purpose is to provide a hot air blower having means for directing the air passing therethrough into maximum contact with all portions of th-e heat-imparting element therein.

Another purpose is to provide a hot air blower nozzle having maximum heat insulating capabilities.

Another purpose is to provide a hot air blower having means for Varying and controlling the temperature of the air delivered thereby.

Another purpose is to provide a heating element for hot air blowers wherein said heating element is of maximum simplicity and in which said heating element shall have a maximum useful life.

Another purpose is to provide a hot air blower having means for creating a back pressure upon the air passing therethrough.

Another purpose is to provide a nozzle for air blowers which nozzle shall be so constructed as to impart a maximum amount of heat to air directed therethrough by said air blowers.

Another purpose is to provid-e a hot air blower having a nozzle so designed as to employ a portion of the air passing therethrough for cooling purposes.

Another purpose is to provide a heating element for hot air blowers and the like comprising a support and a heating wire coil wrapped about said support in spaced 3,209,988 Patented et. 5, 1965 spiral portions from one end to the other of said support and in alternating spaced spiral portions from said other end to said first-named end of said support.

Another purpose is to provide a hot air blower having a heater element and a fuse link associated therewith.

Another purpose is to provide a nozzle for air blowers having a heating element therein and means for directing a maximum amount of air passing therethrough into contact with said heating element.

Another purpose is to provide a hot air blower having a safety-support means.

Another purpose is to provide a tri-point support means for an air blower.

Another purpose is to provide a level support means including a blower housing portion and a plurality of support elements spaced therefrom and lying in the same plane therewith.

Another purpose is to provide a blower support structure having a removable xed length element.

Other purposes will appear from time to time during the course of the specification and claims.

The invention is illustrated more or less diagrammatically in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevation;

FIGURE 2 is a top plan view;

FIGURE 3 is a front end view, on an enlarged scale, of one Aform of the nozzle of the invention;

FIGURE 4 is a view taken on the line 4 4 of FIG- URE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a detail view in partial cross-section and illustrating a variant form of a portion of the invention;

FIGURE 6 is an end View, yon an increased scale, of the element illustrated in FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 7 is a side elevation, with part broken away, illustrating a variant form of an element of the invention;

FIGURE 8 is an end view of another variant form of an element of the invention;

FIGURE 9 is a side elevation of another variant form of an element of the invention;

FIGURE l0 is an end view of a nozzle of the invention incorporating the element illustrated in FIGURE 9;

FIGURE l1 is a perspective view illustrating a variant form of the invention; and

FIGURES l2 and 13 illustrate, on a reduced scale, various supporting methods usable with the invention.

Like parts are indicated by like numerals throughout the specication and drawings.

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIGURE l, the numeral 1 indicates a blower housing. The housing 1 is normally of a generally circumferential configuration and has an air-admission valve member 2 associated therewith. As illustrated at 3 in FIGURE 2, a motor means is secured to housing 1. The motor 3, normally electrically powered, drives a suitable impellor or air blower (not shown) within the housing 1 for delivery of air at a generally predetermined velocity to the outlet 4 of the housing 1. Since the housing 1, valve 2, motor 3 and outlet 4, as well as the impell-or within housing 1, are well known elements, they will not be further described in detail herein.

An ear or bracket 5 projects laterally from the outlet portion of housing 1. The ear 5, which may be formed in the nature of a clamping element, receives and secures an upright portion 7 of handle member 6. Rearwardly extending from the upper end of handle portion 7 is a handle portion 8 for gripping by the operator. With the ear 5 formed as a clamping member, it will be understood that the handle 6 may, when desired, be removed therefrom and a xed support may be clamped by the member 5 to hold the blower of the invention in a desired, substantially fixed position.

Removably engaged with the ear 5 is a downwardly depending foot member 9. The member 9 may threadably engage an end of handle portion 7 within or beyond the ear 5 or, alternatively, the member 9 may itself engage the ear 5. The member 9 extends to a point substantially level with the bottom edge 1a of housing 1 and serves as a a means limiting the forward tilt of housing 1, as will appear further hereinbelow. A second foot member 9a is indicated in dotted lines in FIGURE 2 and may comprise an element secured to the bottom of motor 3 and terminating in the plane of the lower end of member 9 to provide, with member 9a and the housing edge 1a, a three-point or triangular support for the blower assembly.

Secured to outlet 4 of housing 1 and extending therefrom and in substantial alignment therewith is an elongated blower nozzle member generally indicated by the numeral 10. The nozzle member 10 includes an outer cylindrical hollow tubular jacket 11 having a plurality of perforations 12 therein. The member 11 is formed of relatively thin metal and the apertures 12 are of a maximum number consistent with strength and rigidity in the member 11.

Within member 11, and of a length only slightly less than the length of member 11, is a hollow tubular member 13. The member 13, as illustrated, is formed of heatresistant material. We lind it convenient, for example, to form the member 13 of a material having an inner sheet 13a and an outer, spaced sheet 13b formed of asbestos material and having a longitudinally corrugated layer 13e positioned therebetween and forming longitudinal air spaces therebetween, as best illustrated in FIGURE 3. The inner tubular layer 13a may be formed also of asbestos and may, in such case, have a metallic foil inner liner (not shown) secured thereto. Preferably, however, the member 13a comprises a hollow tube formed of Micarta and while of the same length as members 13b and 13C, is longitudinally offset as appears in FIGURE 4.

As best seen perhaps in FIGURES 3 and 4, the outer diameter of member 13 is less than the inner diameter of member 11. Spacers 14 may be positioned and held between members 11 and 13 at desired points therealong. We find it suicient, for example, to position spacers 14 between the members 11 and 13 at points adjacent the opposite ends thereof, the members 14 at each end being circumferentially spaced, as best seen in FIGURE 3.

It will be understood that the member 13 may be formed of a metal tube having the members 13C, 13b about the outer surface thereof without departing from the nature and scope of the invention. In such event, the insulating tubular layer or member would continue to have therewithin an inner heat-reflecting tubular wall.

Positioned within the nozzle 10 and having a width substantially equal to the inner diameter of layer 13a is a heating element indicated generally by the numeral 16. The member 16 comprises a generally rectilinear core member 17 formed of heat-resistant material such as Micarta, ceramic or the like and having a width substantially equal to the inner diameter of layer 13a. The core member 17 is of minimum thickness consistent with substantial rigidity, In the preferred embodiment core 17 is of a length slightly greater than the length of nozzle 10 and has an end portion 17a extending into blower outlet chamber 4, as shown in FIGURE 4.

A heat transfer or imparting element is indicated generally at 18. The element 18 is formed of a length of coiled wire. One end of the coiled wire length is secured to a terminal adjacent the rearward end of the core 17, as indicated at 19. The core 17 has a plurality of indentations or notches 20 spaced at alternating positions along its opposite longitudinal edges. The length of wire coil 18 is wound in a spiral or helical path from the terminal 19 and about the core 17 toward the opposite or forward end 17b of the core 17. Thus, the wire coil passes through a notch 20 adjacent the terminal 19, thence it proceeds in a forwardly inclined path on the opposite side of core 17 and passes through a notch 20 in the opposite longitudinal edge of core 17 and downstream from the first notch 26, from whence it proceeds in a forwardly inclined path to a third notch 20 and so on. While the wire coil 18 has a substantial diameter formed by the coils thereof, it will be understood that the notches 20 need only be of suicient width to receive a single thickness of the wire of which the element 18 is formed. In its forward helical path, element 18 engages every other notch 20 in each edge of core 17, leaving the alternating notches 20 available for the purpose described hereinbelow. The portions of the forward helical path of element 18 visible in FIGURE 4 are indicated by the numeral 18a.

The outer or forward edge of the core 17 has a notch 21 formed therein. When the element 18 has passed through the last notch 20 in its forward helical path, it then passes through notch 21 in the forward edge of core 17 and from thence it is directed through a second helical path in a direction rearwardly of core 17, the element 18 in its rearward path being passed through the alternating spaced notches in the longitudinal edges of core 17 which were by-passed by element 18 in its forward helical excursion. The return helical coil portions of element 18 visible in FIGURE 4 are indicated by the numeral 18h.

Thus electrical energy is caused to pass in opposite directions in each alternating length of element 18 on each side of core 17.

It will be observed that the engagement of element 18 with the end notch 21 is effective to reverse the course of the element 18 and to provide for a helical return path wherein the portions of element 18 on either side of core 17 are parallel in the forward and rearward directed helical paths. .The opposite end of element 18, after passing through the rearmost notch 20a on one side of core 17, is secured to a terminal, as indicated at 22. The end portion 18C of element 18 extends from the last notch 26a as a straight length of wire to terminal 22 and thence in a portion 18d twisted about portion 18e to form a resistance element of lesser heat intensity in the path of incoming, as yet unheated, air in chamber 4. Suitable conductors 23, 24 are secured to terminals 25, 26, respectively, and pass outwardly through a suitable aperture 27 formed in housing 1, as indicated generally in FIGURE 4.

A straight or uncoiled length 18e of the wire forming element 18 extends laterally of core portion 17a between terminals 19 and 25. A fuse link 28, formed of a material known to break at temperatures lower than that at which portion 18e will break, extends between terminals 22 and 26 and lies in a parallel path closely adjacent that occupied by wire length 18e whereby the heat generated by length 18e will be imparted to link 28. An access opening 1b in housing 1 is provided for replacement of fuse 28 and is closed by the cover 1c shown in FIG- URE l.

In FIGURE 3, we illustrate the outer end portion of nozzle 10. An annular member 30 is suitably clamped, as by the ring 31, to the outer end surface of member 13. The annular member 30 is formed of heat-resistant material, such as Micarta, and may be formed of the same; material as that employed in forming core 17. The ring4 31 may be secured to the outer end surface of member 13 by suitable connectors, such as those indicated at 32, which in turn may threadably or otherwise engage elements (not shown) adhesively secured within the outer end surface of member 13 between layers 13a, 13b. It will be observed that the inner diameter of member 36 is less than the inner diameter of layer 13a, also less than the width of core member 17. An open mesh screen 33 is held by member 31 between members 30 and 31 and overlying the area defined by the inner diameter of member 30. The screen 33 is of such wide mesh as to provide no substantial interference with the delivery of air outwardly from nozzle 10.

Referring now to FIGURE 5, we illustrate a variant form of core, as indicated generally by the numeral 37. The core 37 is generally rectilinear in shape, having fiat sides and a plurality of spaced notches 37a in its opposite longitudinal edges as well as a notch 37b in its outer or forward edge in the manner described in relation to core 17. The notches 37a, 37b, however, are of such size as to receive the coils of element 18. Similarly, the core 37 has a major width less than the inner diameter of the hollow tubular nozzle with which it is employed. Spacer extensions 37C extend outwardly at the opposite ends of core 37 for Contact with the inner wall of layer 13a. A plurality of air-directing louvers 38 are formed on the opposite sides of core 37. The louvers 38 are arranged in parallel inclined planes, the paths of the louvers extending from one side of the core 37 being substantially perpendicular to the paths of the louvers extending from the opposite side of core 37. The member 37 may be conveniently formed by casting the same of ceramic material. It will be observed that the louvers 38 lie in paths extending between alternately spaced notches in the opposite longitudinal edges of core 37 whereby the wire coil 18 follows a path paralleling the louvers 38. It Will be further observed that the louvers 38 are individually spaced from each other, providing passages for air movement axially of nozzle therebetween. In this regard, it will be observed that the louvers 38 comprising alternate parallel groupings may be oifset from each other axially of nozzle 10 and core 37 whereby air passing between adjacent louvers is forced to follow a tortuous path in its movement from one end to the other of core 37.

As illustrated in FIGURE 8, elements 39, corresponding substantially to the louvers 38, may be formed on and extend inwardly from the inner wall surface of a tubular nozzle layer in which core 17 may be placed. For example, the tubular nozzle 40 of FIGURE 8 could be molded of ceramic material with the inwardly directed louvers 39 formed in the molding process. In such event the louvers may be arranged in the manner described above in relation to louvers 38, to cause the air passing through nozzle 40 to follow the path of element 18.

Referring now to FIGURE 7, we illustrate a variant form of nozzle element indicated generally by the numeral 43. The member 43 is formed of a hollow tubular length of metal or ceramic material or the like. The member 43, when formed of metal, may be surrounded or wrapped by any suitable heat-insulating material, such as asbestos. In a particular installation, for example, the member formed of elements 13b and 13C may be employed as an insulating member surrounding the member 43. The inner surface of member 43 has formed therein a spiral groove 44. The groove 44 is of sufcient width to overlie the coil thickness of element 18. It will be understood that the element 18 would not be positioned within or received within the groove 44, but that the groove 44 follows a helical path substantially identical with and closely, adjacently overlying the path followed by the element 18. The groove 43, like the louvers 38 and 39 described above, are arranged to direct some of the air along the path of element 18 to provide additional heat-transfer contact between element 18 and the air passing through nozzle 10.

The core member, such as the core 17, is held by a screw or bolt 50 which passes through an asbestos Washer 51 and a ceramic sleeve or spacer 52 into a threaded passage 53 formed in the housing 1. As best seen in FIGURE 2 the passage 53 may extend into a boss 54 for reception of a fastening means such as bolt 55, the latter being staked in passage 53 for reception of wing nut 56 to hold the bracket 4 on boss 54.

Referring now to FIGURE 4 it will be observed that the outlet portion 4 of housing 1 has an annular enlargement or collar 60 about which the inner end of jacket 10 is positioned. An annular recess 61 is formed Within the collar 60 and a spacer member 14 is positioned between the inner surface of collar 60 and the layer 13b of member 13. The spacer 14 has a fastener element 62 adhesively held therein and the member 14 is adhesively held to layer 13b. A fastener 63 extends through jacket 10 and collar 6l) for connection with fastener element 62. The inner end of layer 13b abuts the base of recess 61. It will be observed that the inner diameter of chamber portion 4 is in alignment with the space between layers 13a, 13b of member 13 and that said diameter is outwardly offset at a point inwardly spaced from the inner end of said layers and, further, that layer 13a is outwardly oset from layer 13b and member 13C. Hence, as indicated by the arrows in FIGURE 4, a portion of the air passing through outlet 4 of blower housing 1 is caused to enter and pass through the space between layers 13a, 13b escaping in a hollow tubular column of air from the forward end of nozzle 10 and about the circumference of members 31, 33, 30, thus serving to further insulate and cool the insulating layer 30 and jacket 10. While the hollow tubular column of air emanating from between layers 13a, 13b will be of lesser temperature than the air passing through screen 33, it will be understood that said hollow tubular column of air has acquired heat in its passage between layers 13a, 13b.

'A switch box 70 is positioned on motor 3 and carries a switch lever 71. The switch 70 may be suitably wired to provide for the off position illustrated in FIGURE 2, and for operation of the motor 3, and consequently of the impellor within housing 1 at more than one speed. Similarly the Iswitch 70 may be wired to provide for delivery of electrical energy of varying amounts to element 18. Additionally, the switch 70 may incorporate a time delay device whereby when the switch lever 70 is moved to the off position, electrical energy is first withdrawn from element 18 while the motor 3 continues to be energized and thus to deliver a cooling blast of air through nozzle 10 for a suitable period before motor 3 is de-energized, thus protecting the element 18 and nozzle 10 from any deleterious effects which may stem from residual heat remaining therewithin when heat-absorbing air no longer passes through nozzle 10.

Feferring now to FIGURES 9 and l0, there is illustrated a variant form of core which may be formed of a central hollow tubular member which in turn may be formed of Micarta or the like. At the opposite ends of the tube 80 and arranged in inter-penetrating relationship therewith are four-armed spider elements, the element 81 being positioned at the outer end of tube 80 and the element 82 being positioned at the inner end thereof. Two of the four arms of element 82 are formed by an integral plate member 82a apertured as at 83 to provide for attachment of terminals 19, 22, 25 and 26, as illustrated in FIGURE 4. Secured to the four arms of web 82 `and positioned within hollow tube 80 adjacent its inner end is a disc 84 having a diameter slightly less than the inner diameter of tube 80. Secured at their opposite ends to the arms of webs 81 and S2 is a set `of four rack members 85. Each of the rack members 85 is an elongated, relatively thin flat strip having a plurality of notches 86 formed therein and corresponding substantially to the notches 37a illustrated in FIGURE 5. The opposite edge of each of the racks 85 has, intermediate its ends, an oppositely directed abutment or enlargement 87 positioned to contact the outer surface of tube 80 -and to space the remainder of said opposite edge from the outer surface of tube 80. Similarly, an enlargement 88 rises above the edge in which notches 86 are formed and lies in the plane of the corre-sponding edges of webs 81 and 82, it being understood, as best seen in FIGURE l0, that the outer edges of webs 81 and 82 are in contact with the inner layer 13a of member 13 and that heating element 18 is wound -about the core illustrated in FIGURE 9 and through the notches 86 in the manner described in relationship to FIGURE 4. As best seen in FIGURE 10J the core of FIGURE 9 results in the arrangement of element 18 in a helical coil, the cross-sectional configuration of which is substantially circular.

Referring now to FIGURE 11, it will be observed that an elongated leg element or support post 99 extends downwardly from attaching bracket 5. The outer configuration of element 99 may be hexagonal, as shown, or otherwise noncircular for ease of engagement by a suitable hand tool. At its end adjacent bracket 5, element 99 has an axial, thre-aded well (shown in dotted lines at 100) formed therein for reception of a threaded end 7a of handle 7. The end edge surface of element 99 which borders well 100 abuts bracket 5 to support nozzle 4, 10 in a horizontal plane and the bottom or foot 99a of element 99 lies in the plane of supports 1a, 9a.

AS illustrated in FIGURE 12, the structure illustrated at S4, 55, 56 and 5 enables the blower to be suspended from above and freely movable, when desired, for application of heat to a variety of spaced points. In such case a vertical rod 200 is clamped lby member 5 and is flexibly supported at its upper end, for example by chain 201. The rod 200 can be provided, as indicated, with -a threaded end portion 200g for engagement by member 99 when the operator desires to rest the device upon a relatively level surface and a suitable handle (not shown) may be secured to housing 1, housing 3 or rod 200 when the operator does not wish to employ rod 200 as -a handle means.

Illustrated in FIGURE 13 is a fixed support 300 including a rod portion 301, a lateral portion 302 and a mounting portion 303, the latter being secured to a surface such as a wall adjacent the work or area to be heated. The opposed radially toothed, grooved or serrated surfaces of members 54 and 5 have been offset to show the blower partially in dotted lines as angularly disposed in FIGURE 13, it being understood that the same might be accomplished with respect to the suspension shown in FIGURE 12.

The use and operation of the invention are as follows:

Air entering through valve 2 is delivered at an increased, normally predetermined, velocity to housing outlet 4. From outlet 4 the air passes rapidly through nozzle 10, only a fraction of a second being provided for the air to 'be heated within nozzle 10. The air is passed over, through and around the helix formed of element 18 and outwardly through screen 33. Since the element 18 is arranged in a forward helix on opposite sides of the core and is arranged in an interlaced return helix on opposite sides of said core, the paths of said helixes lying in parallel planes, all portions of the heat-imparting element 18 are equally exposed to the passage of air and to the cooling effect thereof upon the element 18. Thus is eliminated any separate return wire or wires per se. No portion of element 18 is shielded from the cooling effect of air passing thereabout and all portions of element 18 are available for heat-transfer to the air passing through nozzle 10. The core `being of relatively thin, flat configuration presents a minimum resistance to the ow of air and a mini-mum area of non-heat-transfer material in contact with the air.

Further, the employment of the return portion of the heat-imparting element 18 for the heat-imparting function is effective to provide a maximum heat transfer from the element 18 to the air passing thereabout and to provide a higher temperature to said air with a reduced amount of amperes and watts. For example, known prior devices have required 22 amperes and 2,600 watts to produce air at 1,000 degrees temperature. The device of the present invention has produced air at 1,200 degrees temperature and has required but amperes and 1,800 watts to do so.

The annular member 30, having an inner diameter less than the innermost diameter 0f nozzle assembly 10, is effective to create a back pressure within the nozzle 10 and to retain or impede the passage of air therethrough, providing for maximum length of contact time between said air and the heat-imparting element of the invention.

The insulating tubular layer element 13 and the perforated jacket 11 spacedly surrounding it have proved fully effective to protect the operator against injury. With the blower of the invention in full operation the jacket has been grasped with the bare hand without discomfort.

Foot member 9, being spaced forwardly of and at the level of the bottom 1a of housing 1, is effective to impede unintended forward tilting of the blower of the invention and consequent delivery of heated air to the surface on which housing 1 rests.

In FIGURES 5-10, we illustrate variants designed also to provide the desired maximum effective contact between element 18 and the air passing through nozzle 10.

The employment of the louvers 38, 39 and groove or rifling 44, illustrated in FIGURES 5-8, is effective lt-o provide a tortuous path for the air passing through the nozzle 10. The arrangement of the louvers 38 directs said air in a helical path corresponding to that of the element 18. A portion of the air passing through the nozzle 10 is directed through a tortuous, substantially axial, path, through the spaces between the louvers 38.

The same is true of the arrangement of FIGURE 8V wherein louvers such as those indicated at 38 are directed inwardly from a tubular wall surrounding heat element 18.

Similarly, the employment of the spiral groove 44 or riing, as illustrated in FIGURE 7, tends toward the direction of at least a portion of the air passing through the nozzle 10 in a helical path corresponding to that 0f the element 18. The direction of the air passing through the nozzle 10 into paths corresponding to that of the interlaced helical paths of the element 18 aids in providing a maximum contact of said air with the heat-imparting element 18 and a consequent maximum transfer of heat therebetween.

The fuse link 28, replaceable through housing aperture 1b, is positioned in parallel adjacent relationship to a straight portion of element 18. Thus link 28 is exposed not -only to the heat created by passage of electrical energy through it, but is exposed also to the heat produced by portion 18e of element 18.

The employment of a portion of the abundance of air delivered through outlet 4 as a cooling medium by passing it through the insulating member 13 results in maximum protection of the operator and in capturing the heat which might otherwise be lost through member 13. The delivery of this cooling or insulating air in a hollow tubular air blast surrounding the hot cylindrical air blast through nozzle outlet screen 33 aids in retaining and directing said hot blast on the object to be heated.

In FIGURES 9 and 10 the core there illustrated provides a helical heating element 18, the cross-sectional configuration of which is substantially circular, whereas that of element 18, when employed with cores 17 or 37, is somewhat elliptical, as .best seen in FIGURE 3. The disc 84 permits a small amount of cooler air to How about its edge to cool the tubular core portion 80. The racks 85 hold element 18 in spaced relationship substantially equidistant from the outer tubular surface of member and the inner tubular layer 13a of nozzle assembly 10. Hence a hollow tubular column of air is created between members 80 and 13a and is in maximum contact with a hollow, tubular, helicailly coiled heating element 18 throughout its passage through nozzle 10.

The structure of FIGURE 11 includes a support element or foot member 99 threadably engaging handle 7 and abutting bracket 5 to guarantee maintenance of nozzle 10 in spaced parallel relationship with the surface on which the entire structure rests and thus to insure against accidental direction of hot gases upon such surface.

Whereas preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it will be understood that further modifications will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the foregoing specification. Accordingly, the foregoing description should be taken as merely illustrative and not definitive, an-d the scope of the invention should be limited only by the following appended claims.

There is claimed:

1. In a blower, a blower housing, motor means secured to said housing, handle means secured to and extending above said housing, said blower housing having a bottom edge and a nozzle extending from said housing at a level above said bottom edge, a foot member secured to said housing forwardly of said housing bottom edge and extending from the level of said nozzle to a point substantially level with said bottom edge in substantially the same vertical plane as said bottom edge, and a second foot member extending beneath said motor means to a point substantially level with said bottom edge and spaced laterally from the plane occupied by said first-named foot member and said bottom edge.

2. In a blower a substantially circular blower housing, a nozzle extending laterally from an upper portion of said housing, a motor means extending from said blower housing in a plane lsubstantially perpendicular to that occupied by said nozzle, a support post secured to said nozzle and extending downwardly therefrom to the horizontal plane occupied by the bottom edge of said housing and a foot member extending downwardly from the lower outer end portion of said motor means to said last-named plane.

3. In a blower a substantially circular blower housing, a nozzle extending laterally from an upper portion of said housing, a motor means extending laterally from a central portion of said blower housing in a plane substantially perpendicular to that occupied by said nozzle, a support post secured to said nozzle and extending downwardly therefrom to the horizontal plane occupied by the bottom edge of said housing and a foot member extending downwardly from the lower outer end portion of said motor means to said last-named plane, said post, housing bottom edge and foot member being in triangularly spaced relationship with each other.

4. In a blower a substantially circular blower housing, a nozzle extending laterally from an upper portion of said housing, a motor means extending from said blower housing in a plane substantially perpendicular to that occupied by said nozzle, a support post secured to said nozzle and extending downwardly therefrom to the horizontal plane occupied by the bottom edge of said housing and a foot member extending downwardly from the lower outer end portion of said motor means to said last-named plane, and a handle member rising vertically above said post and extending laterally over said housing.

5. In a blower a substantially circular blower housing, a nozzle extending laterally from an upper portion of said housing, a motor means extending from said blower housing in a plane substantially perpendicular to that occupied by said nozzle, a support post secured to said nozzle and extending downwardly therefrom to the horizontal plane occupied by the bottom edge of said housing and a foot member extending downwardly from the lower outer end portion of said motor means to said last-named plane, and a handle member rising vertically above said post and extending laterally over said housing, said support post threadably engaging said handle member.

6. In a blower a substantially circular blower housing, a nozzle extending laterally from an upper portion of said housing, a bracket adjustably secured to said nozzle, a motor means extending from said blower housing in a plane substantially perpendicular to that occupied by said nozzle, a handle carried by said bracket and rising upl0 wardly therefrom, a support post secured to said handle in Contact with said bracket and extending downwardly therefrom to the horizontal plane occupied by the bottom edge of said housing and a foot member extending downwardly from the lower outer end portion of said motor means to said last-named plane.

7. In a blower a substantially circular blower housing, a nozzle extending laterally from an upper portion of said housing, a bracket adjustably secured to said nozzle, a motor means extending from said blower housing in a plane substantially perpendicular to that occupied by said nozzle, a handle carried by said bracket and rising upwardly therefrom, a support post secured to said handle in contact with said bracket and extending downwardly therefrom to the horizontal plane occupied by the bottom edge of said housing and a foot member extending downwardly from the lower outer end portion of said motor means to said last-named plane, said post having an axially disposed, threaded well formed in an end surface thereof, said handle having a threaded end portion formed and adapted for passage through said bracket and engagement in said well.

8. The structure of claim 4 characterized by and including a boss extending laterally from said nozzle, a clamp rotatably mounted on said boss and extending radially therefrom in a plane paralleling said nozzle, means for selectively locking said clamp on said boss at a variety of radially extending positions and means carried by an outer portion of said clamp for removably securing said clamp to said support post.

9. The structure of claim 4 characterized by and including a boss extending laterally from said nozzle, a clamp rotatably mounted on said boss and extending radially therefrom in a plane paralleling said nozzle, means for selectively locking said clamp on said boss at a variety of radially extending positions, said locking means including mating serrated surfaces on said boss and clamp and threaded means for urging said surfaces toward each other, and jaw means carried by an outer portion of said clamp for removably securing said clamp to said support post.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 996,758 7/11 Hadaway 338-286 1,000,335 8/11 Houser 219-337 1,015,121 1/12 Barker 219-374 X 1,564,896 12/25 Rinker el al. 219-374 X 1,955,240 4/34 Kenney 219-228 1,997,039 4/35 Breuer 219*380 2,027,605 1/36 McCord 219-370 2,049,812 8/36 Loacker 219-369 X 2,052,983 9/36 Long 219-375 X 2,114,494 4/38 Hummel et al. 219-370 X 2,120,583 6/38 Timberlake 219-380 X 2,185,278 1/40 Stephens 239-567 2,290,258 7/42 Svet 239-567 2,753,434 7/56 Storm 219-374 X 2,810,514 10/57 Patrick 230-235 2,840,300 6/58 Carr 230-235 2,850,228 9/58 Rowley 230-117 2,962,576 11/ 60 Russell et al 219-370 2,975,960 3/60 Atalla 230-117 2,987,241 6/61 Lindsjo et al. 230-117 FOREIGN PATENTS 803,329 10/ 58 Great Britain.

LAURENCE V. EFNER, Primary Examiner. ROBERT M. WALKER, Examiner. 

1. IN A BLOWER, A BLOWER HOUSING, MOTOR MEANS SECURED TO SAID HOUSING, HANDLE MEANS SECURED TO AND EXTENDING ABOVE SAID HOUSING, SAID BLOWER HOUSING HAVING A BOTTOM EDGE AND A NOZZLE EXTENDING FROM SAID HOUSING AT A LEVEL ABOVE SAID BOTTOM EDGE, A FOOT MEMBER SECURED TO SAID HOUSING FORWARDLY OF SAID HOUSING B OTTOM EDGE AND EXTENDING FROM THE LEVEL OF SAID NOZZLE TO A POINT SUBSTANTIALLY LEVEL WITH SAID BOTTOM EDGE IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE SAME VERTICAL PLANE AS SAID BOTTOM EDGE, AND A SECOND FOOT MEMBER EXTENDING BENEATH SAID MOTOR MEANS TO A POINT SUBSTANTIALLY LEVEL WITH SAID BOTTOM MEANS TO A POINT LATERALLY FROM THE PLANE OCCUPIED BY SAID FIRST-NAMED FOOT MEMBER AND SAID BOTTOM EDGE. 